Summer Times for Thursday 11 January 2024

9:05 Waikaremoana Great Walk reopens

After months of mahi and hundreds of thousands of dollars, one of the country's Great Walks has just reopened. The Waikaremoana trail on the North Island's East Coast is a 46km three-to-four day hike - which was devastated last year when Cyclone Garbrielle ripped through the region. Te Uru Taumatua - the Tūhoe iwi authority - led the repair and maintenance programme, with assistance from the Department of Conservation. Deputy Chair of Te Urewera Board Chris Finlayson was at yesterday's opening ceremony.

9:10 New Zealand by train touted on world stage

The New York Times has voted New Zealand by train as the fourth best place to visit this year in the iconic '52 places' list. Each year, the New York Times compiles a list of 52 places experts believe people should travel to that year. The 2024 list highlights the best destinations for sustainability, cultural events, nature and art. This year, "New Zealand by train" takes fourth place, after America's the Path of Totality, Paris, and Yamaguchi in Japan.

9:20 Using AI to identify ocean rips

Most people can't identify a rip when they're out in the ocean, but thanks to artificial intelligence help is on the way. Rips, narrow segments of water, can move faster than two metres per second and spotting them can be difficult, particularly for kids. However an AI tool developed by NIWA and Surf Life Saving New Zealand is having some success detecting rip currents in real time. Dr Christo Rautenbach, a coastal and estuarine scientist at NIWA, is one of the people behind the tool. He and Surf Life Saving NZ's head of coastal safety and research Adam Wooler talk to Anna bout the danger of rips and  how the tool has been used.

9:40 Trade Me's top motor listings

Trade Me's top motor listings from 2023 are in. They include super flash cars that have sold for eye-watering amounts, a collectors Ford Mustang, and a bogan special. There's also an old mobile classroom and The Black Pig - a charming house bus. To tell us more about what made the list is Head of Trade Me Motors Jayme Fuller.

10:10 Submarine captain David Marquet on leadership

Retired U.S Navy Captain transformed one of the lowest-ranked US submarine crews into the best in the fleet. His book on his leadership strategies has gone on to inspire thousands of people about how they too can improve their leadership skills. It's not just relevant in the workplace, as the skills can translate across into your home and family life too. If you have questions for David about how to implement leadership techniques in your life, text us on 2101. You can also find David on Leadership Nudge.

10:35 Lesser known, great walks with Peter Janssen

Travel writer Peter Janssen is back this week and today we're about where the best short walks are. Last week Peter talked to us about towns in New Zealand that had had a renaissance and some that had disappeared despite a promising beginning. Peter's also an expert on walks. He's written multiple books on the best walks around New Zealand and he joins Anna to share some of them. These are walks that are less well-known and are likely to be far less crowded than the more popular walks. If you've got a walk to recommend, please text them in to 2101.

11:10 Motor Caravan Association CEO Bruce Lochore 

We're joined by New Zealand Motor Caravan Association CEO Bruce Lochore to see what the nation's caravanners are up to. Phoning in from a rally in the Bay of Plenty, Bruce tells Anna and Summer Times listeners about NZMCA events in Motueka and Taupō this month, plus the 67th NZMCA National Rally taking place in Reefton in February.

11:30 Indie-pop artist Princess Chelsea: 'A westie-shore girl hybrid' 

Princess Chelsea AKA Chelsea Nikkel  is a classically trained pianist who burst onto the alternative, baroque-pop scene in early 2010s. Her song 'Cigarette Duet', went viral on YouTube in 2013 and has since amassed over 100 million views. Over the past 11 years, she has refined her dreamy cinematic pop, producing five albums, one EP and 11 singles... and has just returned from the United States. Tonight she is playing in Whanganui.  

11:45 Caring for your garden during an El Niño summer

Meteorologists have gardeners on high alert with predictions the El Niño weather system will bring hot and dry conditions over the coming months. During El Niño summers, New Zealand tends to experience stronger or more frequent winds from the west, which can encourage dryness, while the west coast could be wetter than usual. With these unusual weather systems on the way, plus the prospect of hosepipe bans, landscape designer and gardener Xanthe White has some tips for maintaining a healthy and good-looking garden. 

12:00 Urban Jumble Daily Quiz

Every day we're giving you three words. Within each word are letters which spell out a New Zealand town or city. Each letter can only be used once. While some words may have more than one answer, the correct answer must be the town or city we're thinking of. So have a pen and paper and a map at hand and have a go. 

 

Playlist:

Track: Maybe Tomorrow
Artist: Goldenhorse
Time played: 9:05am

Track: Tide is High 
Artist: Blondie
Time played: 9:20am

Track: Fast Car 
Artist: Tracey Chapman
Time played: 9:40am

Track: Booster Seat 
Artist: Spacey Jane
Time played: 9:50am

Track:  Put Your Records On
Artist: Corinne Bailey Rae
Time played: 10:05am

Track: Lovely Day 
Artist:  Bill Withers
Time played: 10:40am

Track: Kiss This Thing Goodbye
Artist: Del Amitri  
Time played: 11:05am

Track: Cigarette Duet
Artist: Princess Chelsea 
Time played: 11:20am

Track: The Loneliest Girl 
Artist: By Princess Chelsea
Time played: 11:35am

Track: Feeding the Family 
Artist: Spacey Jane
Time played: 11:55am